ANYA Bernice’s eyes blazed with anger as she pointed a finger at me. Her voice rose, sharp. “You’re a liar, Anya. A hypocrite! You think you can eat your cake and have it too, don’t you?” she accused, her words spilling out like venom. I stood there, stunned, as she continued. “You tricked me. You deceived me. You asked your husband to take you on a honeymoon and made me believe you didn’t want him. And Cross? You cheated on him!” Her words hit like daggers, but I refused to let her disrespect me. I straightened my back and fixed my gaze on her. “I am not a liar, Bernice,” I said, my voice firm. “And I am not a cheat, especially when it comes to Cross. So be very careful about what you say to me, and how you treat me.” I took a step closer, my tone dropping lower. “And this is the last time I’ll warn you....don’t ever put your hands on me again.” For a moment, the room was filled with tense silence. I could see the conflict in her eyes, the mixture of rage and frustratio
ANYA Needing a distraction, I decided to head to the kitchen. Marie was there, humming softly as she worked. The sight of her calm demeanor immediately made me feel a little more grounded. “Hey, Marie,” I said, stepping into the warm, inviting space. She turned to me with a kind smile. “Hello, Mrs. Steele. Would you like something to eat or drink?” I shook my head. “No, I just wanted to spend some time here. I would really love to assist you right now. What can I do?" Marie handed me a small knife and a cutting board. “Here,” she said. “If you really want to, you can help me chop these vegetables. It might help take your mind off whatever seems to be troubling you.” I smiled gratefully, feeling impressed by her perceptiveness as I took the knife from her and got to work. For a while, we worked in comfortable silence, the rhythmic sound of chopping and the delicious aroma of food filling the air. It was a small reprieve, but it was exactly what I needed. As I chopped,
ANYA I stared at Hunter, as he waited for my answer. The thought of a wedding gnawed at me. A wedding. A grand spectacle that would declare to the world that I was Hunter’s wife, his property. How could I even consider it when all I wanted was to escape? A ceremony meant sealing my fate in his world, a world I never asked for. I lowered my gaze, trying to avoid the intensity of his. “I’m not ready,” I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper. Hunter didn’t push me. He just nodded, his jaw tightened but his voice remained calm. “What do you want, then?” I wanted to say freedom but I knew that wasn’t an option. Hunter would never let me go. He had made that clear. So instead, I shook my head and murmured, “Nothing.” His lips pressed into a thin line as he studied me. Then, without warning, he sat on my bed and reached out his hands, pulling me down to sit on his lap. The warmth of his arms wrapped around me, and for a moment, I felt small and fragile in his hold. “I want
ANYA I glanced up, meeting Hunter's gaze. There was something raw in his eyes, that tugged at me. A vulnerability I hadn't observed before. “I’m a man who’s used to taking what I want,” he admitted. “By force, if I have to. But with you… it’s different. You’re the first person I’ve ever wanted to please. The first person I’ve ever wanted to make happy.” His words made my chest tighten. I didn’t know what to say. “I’m not asking you to love me to death right now,” he added. “All I’m asking is for a chance. Achance to show you that I can make you happy. That you won’t regret being with me.” His voice grew steadier. “I’ll make you my priority, Anya. I’ll give you anything you want, as long as it’s within my power. All I need is for you to try." He took my hands in his. His touch was warm and firm, grounding me even as my thoughts swirled. “Can you give me that, Anya? Can you give me a chance?” As I stared into Hunter’s intense, expectant eyes, my mind wandered far away fr
HUNTER Anya had no idea how much her words meant to me. Hearing her say she’d give me a chance was like a light breaking through the darkness I’d carried for years. I held her close as she sat on my thighs, my arms wrapped tightly around her. But as I looked at her, calm and trusting in my hold, my mind drifted back to a day that still haunted me. The day in Panama when I almost lost her. I had left her in our hotel room, planning to grab food for her. I remembered telling her to stay inside until I got back. But when I returned, the room was empty. At first, I thought maybe she’d gone into the bathroom, or she was hiding somewhere to tease me. But as I checked every corner, my chest tightened. The silence in the room was scary. She wasn’t there. I panicked. My heart raced like it never had before. The idea of her being gone....of her being taken...was unbearable. I bolted out of the room and into the hotel hallway, my eyes scanning wildly. “Anya!” I called out, my voice
BERNICE When I woke up that morning, the ache in my body was unbearable. My back throbbed from the way Hunter had thrown me to the ground the previous night, and my pride was once again shattered into pieces. I sat on my bed, replaying every humiliating moment. It was the second time I had tried to seduce him. I had done everything—stripped myself bare, sprawled on Anya’s bed, my legs open, offering myself to him. And for a second, I thought I’d won. He had looked at me, his eyes displaying desire. But then, like the heartless beast he was, he knocked me out cold. And before I lost consciousness, I felt him drag me off the bed and fling me to the floor like garbage. Why did I have feelings for such a man? Why was Anya so lucky to be loved by him when I was better than her in every way? It wouldn't hurt so much if my feelings were not involved. I wished making Hunter mine was just all about the mission my dad gave me and Cross. Tears welled in my eyes as I sat there, the humil
ANYA I stepped out of my room, leaving Bernice behind, my mind spinning with regret and uncertainty. I’d made a terrible mistake...no, a disastrous one. What was I thinking, bringing Bernice into this house? My stomach churned as I replayed everything in my head. Yes, Hunter was involved in things I didn’t like. The guns, the violence, the fights—I hated all of it. But underneath it all, he wasn’t a bad man. Not really. I let out a shaky breath as memories flooded my mind. Hunter had been faithful to me, something I couldn’t ignore no matter how much I tried. Since we got married, I’d never caught him with another woman. Not once. That had to mean something, didn’t it? He always gave me a way out, too. Even when he asked me for things in return, they were things he could have easily taken by force if he wanted. But he didn’t. He gave me a choice. That kind of control, that restraint.....it wasn’t the kind of behavior you expected from someone like him. And then there was Be
ANYA I opened my mouth reluctantly, letting Hunter feed me. The moment felt so intimate, so unlike anything we’d ever shared before. My heart raced, and I couldn’t bring myself to meet his eyes. Bernice, on the other hand, couldn’t take it anymore. She shoved her chair back with a loud screech and stood up. “Excuse me,” she said stiffly, before storming out of the room. Hunter watched her leave with a look of mild irritation. Once she was gone, he turned back to me. “When is Bernice going to get her own place? She can’t live here forever.” I swallowed, unsure of how to answer. “I don’t know,” I said finally. 'I need to talk to Cross about it first." I added inwardly. Hunter shrugged, leaning back in his chair. “If you want, I can arrange for a house for her. It’s no trouble.” “No,” I said quickly, desperate to change the subject. “Let’s not talk about Bernice. Tell me more about our date. What do you have planned?” He smiled at me, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “
After watching Don Gray’s body disappear, Ruby turned and walked away. She didn’t look back. She made her way to Hector’s room. Hector followed her, his sharp gaze fixed on her back. He expected something....a reaction, a flicker of emotion. But she was quiet. Too quiet. Hector prided himself on understanding people. He could break them, twist them, strip them down to their very core and know what made them tick. But her? She was an enigma. What was she thinking? Was she disturbed by Don Gray’s death? Did she regret anything? He hated this uncertainty. Hated that he even cared. In the past, he would have used pain to get the answers he wanted. A knife. A whip. A gun to the temple. But now? The thought of hurting her made him sick. The realization burned inside him like a slow fire. He clenched his fists, forcing himself to speak. "Are you okay?" Ruby looked at him, her expression calm. “I’m fine.” A lie. But he didn’t push. Instead, he changed
Ruby watched in silence as Don Gray's screams faded into nothing. His body twisted and convulsed in agony until the fire consumed him completely. His last movement was a desperate, futile roll across the floor....then stillness. The room smelled of burning flesh and smoke. Hector took one last glance at the charred corpse, then waved his hand. “Dump him in the river,” he ordered, his voice devoid of emotion. The men moved at once, hauling what was left of Don Gray away. But Camila was not there to witness it. She sat in her bathtub, submerged in warm water, yet feeling no warmth at all. Her mind was miles away, trapped in the past. She saw it again...the gun in her hand, her finger pulling the trigger, Hector flinching as the bullet grazed his hand. She had tried to stop him. Tried to save Ruby. But then Ruby had fallen at Hector's feet begging to be his dog, just to spare Camila. Camila squeezed her eyes shut, gripping the edges of the bathtub as nausea threate
A few hours later, Hector straightened his cufflinks and glanced at Ruby. “It’s time,” he said, his voice calm but carrying an edge of excitement. "Get ready." Ruby could tell this was important to him. The sharp suit. The polished shoes. The way his men stood straighter when he spoke. She dressed quickly, slipping into one of the red dresses he had given her. Almost all of them were red. She didn’t bother to ask why. She tied up her hair and stepped out. The same men from the last execution attempt were present and four more, with the exception of the dead ones were there as well. The air in the room was humming with silent anticipation. But this time, something had changed. Ruby was not thrown into a cage. She was not told to sit on the floor like an animal. Hector pulled out the chair beside him and motioned for her to sit. The men exchanged glances. They noticed. They understood. Ruby’s place in Hector’s world had shifted. No speech. No grand declaration. Hector simp
After they left the torture chamber, Hector led Ruby back to his room. He stood by the door, watching her for a moment before speaking. “Get enough rest,” he said. “The time for Don Gray’s execution will arrive very soon.” Ruby’s lips curved into a small smile. “You already agreed that I would do the honors.” Hector smirked, shaking his head. She never forgot anything, did she? “I did,” he admitted. Then, for reasons he couldn’t quite explain, he added, “Is there anything you want?” Ruby blinked. “I feel like I still need to do something for you,” Hector continued, crossing his arms. “For putting your life on the line for me.” The words felt strange on his tongue. Since when did he care about repaying people like Ruby so much? More than that, why was he being so... considerate toward her? He knew he was attracted to her, but he wasn’t the kind of man who was unnecessarily kind to women. The idea alone made him uncomfortable. Still, he waited for her answer. Ruby
As Ruby pulled away from their embrace, she looked at Camila with a soft but determined gaze. “Hector cares about me, Camila,” she said. “I can see it.” Camila shook her head. “Ruby...” “No, listen to me.” Ruby held her hands firmly. “Apart from the misunderstanding in the beginning, Hector isn’t a bad person.” Camila scoffed, crossing her arms. “Are you even hearing yourself?” “Try to see things from his side,” Ruby insisted. “Don Gray destroyed his family. He killed his parents right in front of him.” Camila’s lips parted slightly. Ruby’s voice lowered, filled with emotion. “Who could bear that?” She took a deep breath and met Camila’s eyes. “Look at me, Camila. Imagine if someone was responsible for your father's death. Wouldn’t you want revenge?” The words hit Camila like a blow to the chest. She gasped softly, suddenly understanding. But she still shook her head. “Ruby… revenge is dangerous. You’re playing with fire.” Ruby gave a small, knowing smile. “Tru
Camila paced her small room, her stomach twisting in hunger. The untouched plate of food sat on the ground, mocking her. She stole another glance at it, but the knot in her chest made it impossible to eat. Then, the door creaked open. Her head snapped up, and she froze. Standing in front of her was Ruby. She looked… different. Dressed in a flowing white dress, her face soft and calm, Ruby seemed untouched by the nightmare they were trapped in. But Camila saw beyond the surface. She saw the sadness in her friend’s eyes, the weight she carried. Tears burned Camila’s vision, and before she could say a word, Ruby ran toward her, pulling her into a tight embrace. Camila clung to her, holding on as if she would disappear. Behind them, Hector stood in the doorway, watching in silence. For a moment, his expression was unreadable. Then, without a word, he turned and shut the door, leaving them alone. Camila pulled back slightly, her hands gripping Ruby’s arms. “Are you okay?” R
Ruby sat still, her mind racing. She had begged Hector countless times before, pleaded with him to let her go. Yet, every time, he refused. So why now? She raised her head, meeting his gaze. “Why the sudden change of heart?” Hector’s fingers curled into a tight fist. His jaw clenched, but he kept his voice steady. “Why are you questioning me?” Because it didn’t make sense. That’s why. Ruby stayed quiet, watching him. Hector exhaled and turned his back to her. Anger swirled in his chest...not at her, but at himself. If only she knew how hard it was for him to send her away. Still, she pressed. “I just want to know why, Hector. You were so sure before. What changed?” He turned around slowly and walked toward his chair, sinking into it. His eyes locked onto hers. “I have a rule,” he said finally. “A life for a life. You’ve probably heard it before,” he went on. “Since you were willing to give your life for mine, I can’t let anything happen to you. That’s why I’m setting you
Eduardo stormed into the house with an energy that filled the entire space. His eyes gleamed with excitement as he scooped Selena off the couch, spinning her around. She shrieked with laughter, clinging to him as her heart pounded from the sudden thrill. "Eduardo! What’s going on?" she asked, breathless. He set her down gently but didn’t let go of her arms. His voice was thick with exhilaration as he said, “I just found out from a reliable source that Camila is dead.” Selena’s laughter froze. Her body stiffened, her wide eyes locking onto his. "What?" "Hector Morales killed her." Selena gasped, stepping back. Her hands trembled as she covered her mouth. "That mafia boss?" she whispered. "Is he really that ruthless?" Eduardo nodded. His expression darkened, his excitement shifting into something more serious. "You don’t understand, Selena. Hector didn’t just kill Camila—he wiped out an entire casino. And that place? It was practically owned by Don Gray." Selena swallowed
Hector stared at Ruby as he waited for her answers. "My heart could not bear to watch you die." She replied. His jaw clenched, his mind reeling. He narrowed his eyes, his voice low and dangerous. “What does that mean?” Ruby lifted her gaze, her eyes filled with intense emotions. “I know it sounds ridiculous,” she admitted. Her voice was soft, yet unwavering. “I know my place. I know I am nothing but a dog to you, a slave at your disposal. I know that.” She exhaled sharply, lowering her gaze for a moment before looking at him again. “But I couldn’t forget our first meeting. I mean...I haven't been able to forget our first meeting.” His brows furrowed. “Our first meeting?” She nodded, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. “I was under the influence,” she continued, “but that doesn’t mean I forgot. That day… what happened between us…the way you fucked me.....the things you did to me, even today...it’s still in me. It’s a part of me.” Hector inhaled. That first day, th